Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated throughout India but there is a difference in origin, myth and the way in which it is celebrated. In 2014, Diwali is celebrated on October 22 in Tamil Nadu. In North India, it is observed on October 23, 2014.

The major difference in the festival

The word 'Diwali' is most popularly used in North India and South India it is mostly used as 'Deepavali.' The meaning of both the word is the same. The Deepavali celebration is a four-day festival in South India and commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi. The first day of the festival is known as Naraka Chaturdasi and it commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over demon Naraka. This day is celebrated as Deepvali in South India and it usually falls on a day before the Diwali in North India.

Diwali in North India commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his exile.

In North India, the Diwali celebration begins two days before the actual Diwali day with the Dhanteras.

The day after Dhanteras is celebrated as Choti Diwali. Usually, the actual Deepavali in South India takes place on this day.

On the Diwali day, Lakshmi puja is held in North India. In South India too Lakshmi puja is held on the same day. The myth is the same – Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when devas and asuras where churning for ‘amrit’.

The day after Diwali in North India is the Govardhan Puja. This day in South India is celebrated as Bali Padyami and it is believed that King Mahabali returns to earth on this day to visit his subjects.

The next day is Bhai Dhooj in North India and in South India it is the Yama Dvitiya. On this day sisters invite brothers to their home. This ritual is same in North and South but with a different name and myth.